The model has been photographed in various intimate portraits posing with a 350 kg Russian brown bear.
Zhana Shveinova has captivated fans around the world and jumped at the chance to pose with a bear who has enjoyed a veggie-rich diet since she was a cub.
Photographer Olga Barantseva contacted Stepan’s owners, Svetlana and Yuriy Panteleenko, to arrange a photo shoot.
In this photobook, 35-year-old Zhana from Moscow, now living in Cyprus, can be seen wearing a tiara and long white dress, hugging and petting a bear.
Zhana (pictured) jumped at the chance to pose with Stepan, who has captivated fans around the world. “It was a lifelong dream to see bears up close and see these magnificent animals move freely,” she said.
Zhana says:
“Ever since I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with stuffed animals, especially bears, and they’ve been my constant companions.
“So after I graduated from college, I decided to try my hand at sewing toys for the first time. I haven’t stopped since.”
Photographer Olga Barantseva contacted Stepan’s owners, Svetlana and Yuriy Panteleenko, to arrange a photo shoot.
“I recently decided to make a more realistic bear and came across Stepan while looking for inspiration.
“It has been a lifelong dream to see bears up close and to see these amazing animals roam free.”
Jahna described the bears as “truly unique” and “rescue”. [animal]family, and friends’.
Stepan was captured by hunters who tried to sell a baby bear on the market. When Pantelinkos found the bear, it had several cuts, so he took him home so he could recover.
She said: “It shows how he behaves with his mom and dad. He is treated with such kindness and respect and gives it back.”
“He’s sweet, and despite his size and weight, he hugs you very gently.
“I was so lucky to meet Stepan. It’s a unique experience that I will cherish forever.
![Zana described Stepan as 'really unique' in being a 'rescuer' [animal]family, friends](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/07/11/65332377-11511821-Zhana_described_Stepan_as_truly_unique_for_being_a_rescue_animal-a-51_1670413124557.jpg)
Zhana says: She continues:
Zana described Stepan as ‘really unique’ in being a ‘rescuer’ [animal], family, and friends’. “It was a lifelong dream to see bears up close and see these magnificent animals move freely,” she said.
Stepan was captured by hunters who tried to sell a baby bear on the market.
Pantelinkos rescued him when he was a child.
When found, the animal had several cuts and was taken home so it could recover.
Tall bears that are 7 feet or more sit in the evenings watching TV with their owners or helping them water the plants.
Olga loves taking pictures of people with animals and saw a TV broadcast with Stepan a few years ago.
Olga loves taking pictures of people with animals, and several years ago she saw a TV broadcast of a bear that has also appeared in many Russian films.
“I have already photographed people who have traveled from Japan, China, Thailand, Austria, Switzerland, Mexico and India.”
“I think there is too much evil in the modern world, and what I want to show is love: love between people and nature, between people and animals.
“What I want to show is that the world can live in harmony. I am inspired by Russian fairy tales – stories full of love and kindness, where people and nature live in harmony. .